Understanding Grief and Loss, Parenting Children with Special Needs

Course overview

Learn how to cope with nonfinite grief and loss experienced by parents of children with special needs. When a child is diagnosed with a disability, parents feel a sense of loss and grieve for those dreams that must be modified. This presentation will focus on the nonfinite or ongoing losses experienced by parents of children with special needs. We will discuss ways the grief experienced in response to these losses is often disenfranchised or not acknowledged by others. Participants will learn techniques to cope with grief and to support others who are grieving nonfinite losses. Learning Objectives Identify normal grief reactions resulting from nonfinite losses Learn how grief experienced by parents of children with special needs is disenfranchised Differentiate chronic sorrow from clinical depression Learn techniques to cope with nonfinite losses Presenter Denise Montford, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CGP Denise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience in the field of social work. She is licensed as a social worker in both Florida and Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and the University of South Carolina with a master's degree in social work. Denise is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She is also a certified Grief Informed Professional. Denise completed the Thanatology Certificate Program at the University of Alabama. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and holds an Academy of Certified Social Worker credential through NASW. Denise is currently on the teaching faculty in the Social Work Department at Florida State University, Panama City. Denise co-founded Angel House Bereavement Center, in Panama City, FL, in 2015 and holds the position of President and Executive Director.